Gentlemen—My first and most agreeable duty, on taking possession of this chair, to which you have called me, is to express to you the gratitude which I feel for the distinguished honour with which you have invested me. I cannot hope to enable you to estimate the sincerity of the feeling by the force of its expression, for I can only, in very simple terms, assure you that I heartily appreciate your great kindness; and I can only very briefly acknowledge the eminent favour which I have received at your hands.